News

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR and THANK YOU to all our supporters. We appreciate your donations and gifts and your comments welcoming our success in keeping open Markfield Library. Some of our sessions are very lively, with either a dozen adults all talking or half-a-dozen small children enjoying the space in the library. Other sessions can be very quiet with a single customer at any time. That is when your approving comments are very cheering to the volunteers'

NEW OPENING HOURS

Friday January 18th 2019 we are changing our opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays to accommodate our new times for our Reading and Rhymes group who will now meet from 10:00am to 11:30am on Friday mornings. This means that the library will be open from 9:00am to 10:00am on Friday and will open for an extra half an hour on Saturdays, from 10:00am to 12:30pm
If you would like more information about our opening hours please call the library on 0116 305 3642

RESERVING A BOOK IS NOW FREE

We would love more people to join the library and are therefore encouraging everyone to come along and join. If you want to reserve a book we are not charging our usual £1 but will order it free of charge for you. There are hundreds of books in the Leicestershire County Council catalogue so if you fancy borrowing a book just call into the library and place it on order. You will normally get the book within a week or two.

VOLUNTEERS

We would welcome more volunteers to join us and you don’t need to have any specific qualifications as all the training and advice will be given. We are also totally flexible about how much time you can spare whether it’s a few hours a week or help on an occasional basis.
We not only need more volunteers to train up as librarians but also need help with our activities and displays. However, if you do have any special skills or interests that you think would benefit our library we would love to hear from you.
Many of the volunteers have also joined some of the club and groups we have in the library, like the Writers group, the Book Clubs, Ancestry and the Art Class, which are also run by volunteers and if you would like to form a group to pass on your skills or indeed to learn new things we would love to hear from you.
If you would like to know more about volunteering in the library either call in anytime during our opening hours and have a chat with the volunteer librarian or email markfieldlibrary@gmail.com

Events

December 2019

December 6th 19:00 Our thanks to Bradgate Rotary Club for their help to bring SANTA to our grotto again in December. There was a lively and excited queue of children to meet him and receive a gift-wrapped book. The following week we held a supper party for our volunteer helpers with chatter and laughs. Thank you to the Community Centre for their hospitality.

NOW EXCITING NEWS

WE HAVE BEEN AWARDED A NEW GRANT

We are very proud to report that we have been awarded a grant from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.


As part of the HBBC/VCS Partnership we will receive funding in 2020 to support further improvement of the 'Sensory Garden' behind the Library. This follows work done in 2018 with the support of Bradgate Rotary Club when undergrowth was cleared to open up the garden. Watch this space for news of the progress of our further improvements. We hope to enhance the experience of both groups and individuals using the garden.

MEMORY BOXES

We will keep the "Memory Box" we were given last month until the end of January when it will be exchanged for one with another theme. This one is all about the Royal Family. As well as two life size cut-outs, of Her Majesty and of a Beefeater, the box contains several bags of interesting topics. The themes for these include Dressing up with a model crown and some hats, Corgi dogs and other dogs with a Card game, CDs of music from 1950-1970, scrapbooks of the same period, a Handbag and its contents and a silver plate Teatray with teapot etc. and china cups. All of these are intended to encourage people to remember those times and what they were doing, what they enjoyed and what they are glad they do not do now. Each bag may be borrowed for a demonstration or for a meeting – just phone or ask at the library. They are suitable for all ages, the elderly with their memories and children to hear about our past times. They have already proved helpful to stimulate conversations. Do try out one with your friends or a group

BRADGATE CALENDAR

The library is supporting Bradgate Rotary Club again this year by being an outlet to sell their calendar. Proceeds raised will be used to support Bradgate Park Trust and Bradgate Rotary charities. Apart from stunning photography each month, the calendar has a seasonal recipe and an historical fact. Priced at £5 they make a really nice Christmas present particularly for friends and relatives who have moved away form Leicestershire.

VOLUNTEER TEAM

HERE IS THE PROFILE OF ANOTHER VOLUNTEER – OUR CHAIRMAN, MARGARET

I have always had a special fondness for libraries. My degree, after all, is BA (Hons) in Library and Information Studies from Loughborough University and I subsequently became a Chartered Librarian working in Academic and Public Libraries. When Leicestershire County Council (LCC) decided to consult on closing 32 village libraries, I found myself at the first consultation event in the hall, at Mercenfeld Primary School. There must have been nearly a 100 people there. When it actually came to putting your head above the parapet involving forming a committee of three - Chair, Secretary and Treasurer – I volunteered as Treasurer. I thought that was the lesser evil of the three. Over many months we passed the hurdles to become approved by LCC to run the Library, formed a registered Charity, appointed Trustees and the rest is history. I took over as Chair from my predecessor David Pegg around three years ago who if it were not for him (and Ann Aveling, Secretary) the library would have closed. My role is Chief Executive, Trustee and occasional banging of heads together. I find that on the odd occasion I am needed to cover a shift I have not entirely lost my touch ... However, the photocopier is a mystery to me.

It seemed dreadful to me and others that such a facility could disappear there has been a rebirth in that the Library is no longer just a place to find a book. It now hosts many groups all of which help raise funds for the upkeep as well as engaging local people. People say that they really enjoy coming to the Library and we are very proud of what we have achieved.

I look around the people who have been connected to the Library and those that still are, and I did not know any of them when I moved into Markfield in 2006. Trustees and volunteers have become valued friends and the Library is very much part of my life in Markfield.

Please support the Library in any way you can, however small – library volunteer, Trustee, member, odd jobs, run events, fund raise etc. To the wider village community – USE US OR LOSE US!

Margaret

September 2019

Macmillan Coffee Morning

Queen Bee and Mary Pegg held an extremely successful coffee morning raising £175 for Macmillan in September. Coffee and Cake was served and the baking by the Queen Bee Youth Project and donations from others was amazing.
The event was very well supported and thanks to everyone who came along and supported such a wonderful Charity.

Coming up at the Library

Regular events at the Library

ART CLASS

Our drop in Art Class is now held every Thursday lunchtime between 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Whether you are a beginner with no experience of how to draw or paint or whether you already enjoy art and want to brush up your skills, you are very welcome to come along where our experienced art teacher will help and advise you. The sessions are open to all abilities over the age of 16. There’s no need to book, just come along. The fee for each session is £5 which will include all your materials as well as expert advice.
The work produced by the Art Class led by Carol really does deserve a special mention. Take a look when you next visit the library.

WRITING GROUP

Whether you are a novice writer or someone who already has writing experience but would like some advice and guidance, then this is the group for you. The group is lead by an experienced writer who is a playwright, poet and published author. The group meets every two weeks and covers all aspects of creative writing from poetry, short stories as well as flash fiction. You will be helped and encouraged to write and to share your thoughts about the writing of other members of the group. You may be an experience writer but would like to brush up your skills within a supportive group. If you are interested in joining the group or would like more information please email markfieldlibrary@gmail.com

READING AND RHYMES

Our reading and rhymes sessions have changed their times and will now meet from 10:00am to 11:30am on Friday mornings. A fun, informal and friendly session for babies run by volunteer mums with storytelling, rhymes and crafts. Please contact the library by e mail/telephone as there can be a waiting list at times.

BOOK CLUBS

Our evening book club is well attended but we would very much welcome new members for our afternoon book club which meets every first Monday in the month in the library at 2:00pm.

ANCESTRY

Our Family History sessions take place every Thursday from 1:30pm to 3:00pm. We have experts on hand to guide you through the research into your family tree. You will have access to our records including birth, marriage and death certificates.

KNIT AND STITCH

Our Knit and Stitch group meet regularly every Thursday lunchtime between 1:00pm and 3:00pm and would welcome anyone who is interested in knitting. The group are a friendly lot and will help any novice just starting out. They also welcome more experienced knitters. So come along with your wool and needles and enjoy a cuppa and chat.

Facilities

The library offers many useful services to the local community, not just book lending or newspaper reading.

Computing Facilities

The library has four public access computers offering free internet access, with printing facility available.
Free wireless broadband is also available - just ask the staff for the network password.

Photocopying

The library also provides a photocopying service for A3 and A4 paper sizes. The price per A4 size is 25p for black and white and 50p for colour. The A3 size is 50p for black and white and £1 for colour.

Local Information

In the library you will find information on a wealth on local activities ranging from local societies & clubs, to bus timetables.

Hiring the Library

For a small fee you can hire the library for your own event or activity outside of normal opening times.
Please Email markfieldlibrary@gmail.com for more information

Dedicated Childrens Area

We have a dedicated childrens area in our library where there are a wealth of children's story books.

About

Markfield Community Library, a registered charity, was formed by a group of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers to save our local library from closure by Leicestershire County Council it is now entirely managed and run by over 30 unpaid volunteers and funded by donations, grants and fundraising activities.
Our objectives are to keep the library open, to provide a service which reflects what the local Community wants, to promote literacy generally and to be a welcoming place in the Community. We have comfortable chairs, excellent coffee and tea facilities, newspapers and computers with free internet and free Wi-Fi.
We would love to hear suggestions and any new ideas from you. We are looking for new clubs/groups or societies to use our facilities and if you would like start an activity please contact us.
We offer all the facilities of a council run library and are linked to Leicestershire Libraries Computer System.
Membership and other services are provided free of charge and customers can use their Leicestershire County Council library card to borrow books and other items as well as use our computer and internet facilities.

MARKFIELD COMMUNITY LIBRARY COMPLAINTS POLICY

Comments, compliments and complaints: our policy (Public)
We make every effort to provide a high standard of service and to treat all users equally and fairly. We value any feedback that will help us to do that.
The Trustees review all comments and feedback as they arise and that helps us to develop our service.
If you are happy with our service we would love to hear from you.
We also want to know if there is any part of our service that you are unhappy about. We take all complaints seriously and will take action when appropriate to do so. All complaints will be dealt with in a timely and professional manner. The first thing to do is to bring your concern to the attention of a library volunteer. They will try and resolve your concerns immediately. If you are unhappy at the way you have been treated by a volunteer, please ask to speak to one of the volunteer coordinators Mrs Julie Grace or Mrs Jacqui Williams. If then you still have not resolved your concern, Chairman of Trustees Mrs Margaret Bowler can be contacted via the library.
Please note we endeavour at all times to treat our Library users with respect and we expect the same standards of behaviour from Library users.
February 2018.

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY POLICY AND STATEMENT

Markfield Community Library is committed to equality and diversity. We believe that volunteering and the service we deliver should be open to all regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, ability, religion and political beliefs (Protected characteristics under The Equality Act 2010). This reflects our Charitable Aims and Objectives.
We encourage all working within our organisation to contribute to an environment in which people feel comfortable expressing how they feel and what they need, knowing they will be treated with respect and that they will be valued.
We will endeavour to deliver services in a way that genuinely recognizes the importance of an inclusive society that brings opportunities and access, not barriers to individuals.
Markfield Community Library will:

• Encourage, promote or celebrate diversity in all our activities and services
• Ensure equal access to volunteer opportunities and services
• Ensure as far as is practicable compliance with legislation on discrimination and equality, currently The Equality Act 2010 and other legislation in force
• To confront and challenge discrimination where and whenever it arises
• Expect volunteers to have a willingness to accept and implement this policy
• Ensure that through positive action and so far as is practicable, that our premises and services are accessible to all people

Markfield Community Library recognises the need for continuing commitment to genuine equal opportunities and diversity.

Books, Newspapers, and Magazines

If like us, you think books are important, then this is the page for you.

Book News

Our book stock is still managed by Leicestershire County Council Libraries which includes:

Fiction

We have a wide selection of modern fiction, ranging from the current best sellers to some of our wonderful old classics.

Non-Fiction

We have a good selection of up-to-date non-fiction books, including biographies, history, travel, as well as leisure pursuits.

Audio Books

We also have over 120 adult and children’s audiobooks. You can borrow these and listen wherever you want, ideal for long car journeys.

Large Print Books

We have over 50 large print books.

Books and Audio for Children and Young People

We have a dedicated childrens area in our library where there are a wealth of childrens story books, activity books, and wide range of both fiction and non-fiction from toddler to teen. We also have a weekly Reading and Rhymes storytelling sessions held every Friday morning between 10:00 and 11:30, after which mums and dads can enjoy coffee and biscuits.

Newspapers and Magazines

We have the latest local newspapers, including the daily Leicester Mercury, and the weekly Loughborough Echo and Coalville Times. We also have all the free to the public national and local magazines and periodicals, including The Herald and The Bradgate.
If you would like to donate any of your up to the minute periodicals or magazines we would really appreciate it.
We do not loan these out but they can be read in the library over a cuppa if you wish.

Support us

MCL, as a registered charity, will eventually rely entirely on raising it’s own funds through community events and activities as well as grants and donations. We will always need new volunteers as well as financial support.

Become a Volunteer

If you can spare and hour or so a week please join us as a library volunteer. The work will be interesting with friendly people and may give you an opportunity to develop new skills.
You can volunteer to work behind the counter issuing, renewing or ordering books. Lots of training will be given, so don’t worry on that score. You may enjoy gardening and could help with our special reading garden, or it may be you would like to take part in our fund raising events or run some of our clubs and groups.
We need lots of people to run various groups such as our computer sessions; or our Book Clubs or to help out on our Quiz nights. Just ask at the desk for details and our Volunteer Co-ordinator will be in touch.

Donate Books

We welcome book donations If the County Council Libraries service thinks the books are suitable for stock they will process them and they will appear on our book shelves. However, as they will belong to the Council they may be requested by customers at other libraries and when withdrawn will go back to the Council for their old stock sales.
Any book which does not meet their criteria will be returned to us for our own book sales and any books we cannot sell we will donate to charity.